Peace on Earth

I knew it was a risk. I meant it as an opportunity to express uplifting hope, and some saw it that way.  Others didn’t.

My social media question was, “What do you hope happens in 2022?” Responses included Jesus coming and COVID going. Some want peace for our sharply divided country. Others were content to bicker over politics and COVID mitigation measures, which illustrates why people want peace.  I looked away for a minute and when I came back, the admin had mercifully disabled the commenting.  I deleted the post. Sigh. “Can we all get along?” (Rodney King, 1992).

Among the many reasons America has no peace is this: we no longer have a common source for understanding what’s real, right, and true. We live in an age characterized by, “Everyone did what was right in his own eyes” (Judg. 21:25). When a disillusioned country paints that picture long enough, it looks like Haiti. Division, corruption, hostages, violence, lawlessness. The beautiful, decent, God-fearing Haitian people don’t want that for their country any more than we want it for ours.  They need a peace their country cannot provide. So do we.

Jesus is the only hope for the abiding peace that you need. He warned of the ruler of the world coming, then promised to send His Spirit. “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful” (John 14:27). That peace is His very presence with you.

One way to answer my social media question is the lyric penned by Linda Thompson, recorded by Amy Grant.  “No more lives torn apart, that wars would never start, and time would heal all hearts.  Everyone would have a friend and right would always win and love would never end” (Grown-up Christmas List). Of course that won’t happen until Jesus comes back, but all is not lost. Trust the Prince of Peace and live by His abiding presence. Then you’ll have your own peace on earth.